Khairy's 'quota insult' misinterpreted: Khairul Azwan

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin's remark that the quota system was an insult to the Bumiputras has been "misinterpreted" by the public.
Stating this today, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun said the wing had never budged from its stand that this system that benefited the Malays and Bumiputras must be defended.
He added the term 'insult' mentioned by Khairy should not be taken in its literal context, adding that the latter had not meant what he said.
"Khairy did not mean that the quota system would become an insult if it was still being used in 2050 ... Do not translate the word 'insult' literally," he said.
"The word insult was never in the context at the first place. Perhaps it was the only word that came across his mind," he told reporters after chairing the Umno Youth exco meeting at Menara Dato Onn.
Khairy, who is also the Youth and Sports Minister, drew criticism from various parties after he reportedly made remarks that the Malays should view the quota system for entry into local universities as insulting.
In defending his boss, Khairul Azwan said he had spoken with Khairy on what the latter had actually meant when the remarks were made.
"Khairy wanted to say that in 2050, even without the quota, the Malays and Bumiputras at that time would be able to compete with the other races.
"They may even be more advanced and stand higher from the other races in 2050. That was the aspiration of Khairy," he said.
Meanwhile, Khairul Azwan said the Umno Youth would leave it to the party's top leadership to decide the number of youth candidates in the upcoming general election.
"We have made our request many times. We had asked for them (top leadership) to place more candidates from the youth group," he said.
"However, we did not ask for a specific number, such as 30%, as that was not important," he added.